NEW DELHI (Feb 20, 2026) — Breaking ranks with his party’s official stance, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor praised the ongoing AI Impact Summit in Delhi, describing its first few days as having gone “extremely well” despite minor organizational glitches.
Internal Party Dissent
Tharoor’s positive assessment contrasts sharply with the views of other senior Congress figures:
-
Rahul Gandhi’s Critique: Just a day earlier, the former Congress president dismissed the summit as a “disorganized PR spectacle” and alleged that Chinese products were being showcased at the venue.
-
Party Leadership: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also slammed the event, claiming “mismanagement” had caused national embarrassment.
-
Tharoor’s Defense: Tharoor dismissed organizational issues as standard for any “large event,” instead highlighting the impressive attendance of presidents, prime ministers, and global leaders.
Support for Defense & ‘Make in India’
On the sidelines of a book launch, Tharoor also expressed support for the government’s defense strategy:
-
Rafale Deal: He backed the “Make in India” component of the Rafale jet deal, noting that domestic manufacturing of parts is crucial for self-reliance.
-
Strategic Stance: “It is a defensive defense literally… and I support the government on that,” he stated, arguing that a strong military prevents others from being “tempted to go to war.”
Cultural Commentary
Tharoor also weighed in on the upcoming film Kerala Story 2, labeling the original a “hate-mongering” propaganda piece. He criticized the film for exaggerating conversion numbers and contrasted it with the inclusive cinema of his youth, like Amar Akbar Anthony.
